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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






2. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






3. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






4. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






5. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






6. A reprise.






7. A short light musical drama.






8. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






9. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






10. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






11. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






12. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






13. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






14. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






15. Sliding between two notes.






16. Closing section of a movement.






17. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






18. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






19. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






20. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






21. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






22. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






23. Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also - the study of music.






24. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






25. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






26. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






27. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






28. A short or brief sonata.






29. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






30. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






31. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






32. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






33. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






34. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






35. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






36. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






37. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






38. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






39. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






40. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






41. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






42. The structure of a piece of music.






43. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






44. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






45. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






46. Group of singers in a chorus.






47. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






48. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






49. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






50. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.